Homemade Strawberry Syrup from Strawberry Tops

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If you’re anything like me, your kids grab a handful of strawberries—and somehow manage to bite off only half before tossing the rest because the green tops are still on. 🙃 Every time I’d find a bowl of half-eaten strawberries, I’d cringe at the waste.

So I found a sweet solution: make strawberry syrup from strawberry tops!

This easy, no-waste recipe turns leftover tops (yes, even the green part!) into a vibrant, sweet syrup that’s perfect for pancakes, waffles, yogurt bowls, or even mixed into lemonade or cocktails. And best of all? It tastes just like summer.

Why Use Strawberry Tops?

Strawberry tops still hold plenty of flavor, especially right near the stem. Rather than throwing them out, you can extract that leftover sweetness and turn it into something useful—and delicious!

This is a great first step into low-waste kitchen habits, and it’s simple enough to get your kids involved. Mine love helping me stir the pot and watch it turn into syrup (plus, they’re always amazed we’re using the “trash parts” to make something yummy).

Ingredients:

• Tops from 1 lb of strawberries (green parts included!)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine strawberry tops, sugar, and water.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture into a jar or bottle using a fine mesh strainer.
4. Return to the stove and simmer for 15-20 minutes until it reduces.
5. Let cool, then store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Ways to Use It:

• Drizzle on pancakes or waffles
• Swirl into Greek yogurt or oatmeal
• Stir into sparkling water or lemonade – check out our Copycat Starbucks Summer Berry Lemonade
• Use as a sweetener in iced tea or cocktails

Kid & Mom-Approved

This recipe has become one of our favorite ways to reduce waste and get creative in the kitchen. It’s also been a sneaky parenting win—now when I catch my kids about to toss a barely-eaten berry, I get to say: “Save the tops! We’re making syrup!”

It’s a fun way to show them how we can reuse food scraps and make something totally delicious. 💪🍓

Final Tip

You can freeze strawberry tops throughout the week in a zip-top bag until you have enough to make a batch of syrup—no need to make it all at once!

Want more simple, waste-reducing recipes like this one? Be sure to sign up for my newsletter or follow along on Instagram @crazylifewithlittles for daily tips, DIYs, and family-friendly food hacks!